October 4, 2018

From Austin to Iraq: Two Presidential Leadership Scholars Continue to Take Action

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At the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Center in Austin, Texas, a discussion of international medical trips between two 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholars led them to embark on one themselves.

Quyen and Sunny in Kurdistan, where they participated in a medical research conference and spent time in medical facilities.

Dr. Quyen Chu and Dr. Sunny Jha – a surgeon and anesthesiologist, respectively – recognized the shortage of experience, resources, and technical expertise burdening some developing nations. More specifically, Quyen had identified the necessity of safe anesthesia services for effective surgical care, and after a discussion at the fifth PLS Module, invited Sunny to join him on what would be his fourth medical trip to Kurdistan, Iraq.

Quyen, Sunny, and their team at the American University of Kurdistan.

The two were part of a group of eighteen individuals (comprised of physicians, resident trainees, translators, and more from across the United States), who worked with local and regional public health officials in Kurdistan to provide capacity-building, sustainable medical services – such as providing supplies essential to modern surgery and anesthesia.

Local patients were examined and scheduled for surgery by the team, and local physicians were taught surgical best practices, such as epidural implementation. With a focus on medical capacity-building and sustainability, the group led a research symposium attended by over a hundred local medical professionals, trainees, and students at the American University of Kurdistan. These conference lectures, on topics relevant to the local communities, highlighted the necessity of up-to-date medical practices and reinforced the attendees’ role as medical pioneers.

Sunny speaks with a child at Domiz Syrian Refugee Camp.

The team also visited a Syrian refugee camp near Duhok where they distributed aide and provided group therapy sessions and coping strategies to the camp’s children.

“This trip embodies the true spirit of PLS,” said Sunny. “Quyen and I shared our common passion for giving back and did so in a truly meaningful way.Our collaboration on this trip was only made possible by PLS.”

This is one example of how Scholars are continuing to work together, applying lessons learned from the program, and making an impact in their communities and across the world. The four classes of Presidential Leadership Scholars will meet in D.C. at the Annual Meeting this week. To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org. For updates about the Presidential Leadership Scholars, use #PLScholars or follow @PLSprogram on Twitter.

University of Southern California

During PLS, Jha worked to streamline opioid sparing strategies for patients undergoing surgery at the LA County+USC Medical Center primarily by increasing utilization of nerve blocks. In this continued work, his goal is to reduce the consumption and dependence of opioids in the operative sphere both acutely and chronically.

Quyen Chu

Class of 2018

Health Care

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With over a decade of experience in health care, Chu Quyen continues to push for a more equitable society.

During PLS, Quyen leveraged his knowledge and experience in the health care industry to better understand the challenges that lead to high breast cancer mortality in the state of Louisiana. He aims to create a state-wide program to address such challenges.